HARTFORD — Connecticut is joining the United States Climate Alliance, according to Governor Malloy.

It’s a move spurred on by President Trump’s decision to leave the Paris accord, announced Thursday.

Under former President Obama, the U.S. had agreed to reduce emissions to 26 percent to 28 percent of 2005 levels by 2025 — about 1.6 billion tons. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, but will begin negotiations to “re-enter either the Paris accord or an entirely new transaction.”

But mayors and governors across the country have a different take. California, Washington state, and New York have all entered the United States Climate Alliance to date, and now Governor Malloy wants to add Connecticut.

Governor Malloy said in a statement:

“Connecticut has been a national leader in combatting climate change and we have no plans of slowing down our efforts. In the absence of leadership from the White House in addressing climate change, it is incumbent upon the states to take action in order to protect their residents. We remain committed to meeting the standards set forth in the Paris Climate Agreement because it is the right thing to do for not only the future of our state, but for the future of our planet. I am proud to stand with my fellow governors in support of efforts to reverse the harmful effects of global warming and to send a message to the rest of the world that we accept the science of climate change and we will not let the misguided beliefs of a few ruin our planet.”

The governor hopes that with input from all participants, the United States Climate Alliance will also act as a forum to sustain and strengthen existing climate programs, promote the sharing of information and best practices, and implement new programs to reduce carbon emissions from all sectors of the economy.